Backlighting apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a lightguide in the form of a plate ( 1 ), a first surface of which is provided with first straight parallel grooves ( 8 ) (diffusing the light circulating in the guide). The inventive lightguide is characterized by the fact that it is provided with second straight parallel grooves ( 9 ) (diffusing the light circulating in the guide) which extend in an oblique direction, particularly in an orthogonal direction, relative to the first grooves such that the guide diffuses in a uniform manner the light that is introduced into the guide via three or four edges thereof.

The present invention relates to lightguides used for backlighting or lighting, which are produced by laser machining.

The invention relates more specifically to lightguides in the form of thin, generally planar sheets consisting of a translucent or transparent material, particularly glass, polycarbonate or methyl polymethacrylate.

Such guides are part of the constitution of luminous displays such as signboards or signal devices; in the constitution of display units of computers and the like electronic devices, particularly for the backlighting of liquid crystal screens and the lighting of objects, particularly for visualization of the object by a camera for automated control of the object's properties.

The document WO-9815862 describes a device for collimating and deflecting the light emitted by two diodes toward the edge of a planar backlighting guide; the device comprises a prism and rows of microprisms or microgrooves extending approximately along the average direction of propagation in the prism and guiding the light by reflection and refraction.

The document U.S. Pat. No. 5,999,685 describes a planar backlighting guide manufactured by molding resin in a metallic mold; each of its two faces (front and rear) comprises a series of portions of parallel isosceles-triangular prisms with vertices of ca 150 degrees; the edges of the prisms of one face extend perpendicular to the edges of the prisms of the other face; these prisms deflect the light by refraction and reflection.

Further, it is known from the documents EP-945674 and EP-1107048 to machine linear diffusing patterns with regularly variable spacing using a laser beam.

Such guides are illuminated by sources positioned along one or two generally opposing edges, thereby limiting the maximum light flux that can be re-emitted onto the main surface of the guide.

The document EP-561329 describes a luminous device comprising a rectangular guide illuminated along its four sides or edges by cold cathode fluorescent tubes; the device comprises a planar diffuser covering the emitting face (front face) of the rectangular guide and a reflector covering the rear face of this guide; printed on this rear face are miniscule rough surfaces arranged according to different patterns, depending on whether the thickness of the guide is uniform or variable.

The purpose of the invention is to propose an improved lightguide.

One objective of the invention is to propose lightguides in the form of a thin plate and lighting devices incorporating such guides illuminated at their edges, in order to remedy, at least in part, the drawbacks of known guides and lighting devices.

To this end, and according to a first aspect, one of the faces of the guide comprises a network of irregular and/or rough linear diffusing patterns that are formed in the material of the guide and crisscross each other.

Each linear diffusing pattern (extending rectilinearly or curvilinearly) is generally constituted of a depression or groove (referred to as central) with a depth in the range of 1-70 microns, and more specifically, 10-30 microns, and a width lying in the range of 10-150 microns, particularly, in the vicinity of 20-60 microns, and an irregular and/or variable profile (transverse) along the longitudinal axis of the groove.

Each depression forms a channel along each of whose edges extends a zone (or lateral strip) of irregularly formed projections and depressions whose width is close to (and generally equal to, at most) half that of the central depression and generally smaller than this half.

Preferably, the average width of a diffusing pattern (composed of said depression or groove and the two lateral strips) is greater than 40 microns and less than 200 microns, and in particular, ranges from 50 to 120 microns.

These linear patterns are obtained by laser-machining the plate of the guide, similarly to the process described in the document EP 1107048.

Such guides have been found to have distinctly improved performance; it seems likely that using a laser beam to form an irregular groove intersecting with another irregular groove preformed on the same face of the guide to form additional irregular roughness at the intersection between these two grooves enhances the diffusing characteristics of these patterns and the optical efficiency of the guide to such an extent that it obviates the use of an additional guide to collimate and/or concentrate the light emitted by a source toward the end of the planar guide.

In a second aspect, the two opposing main faces (of larger size) of the guide each comprise a pattern of irregular linear diffusing patterns, with the patterns of a first network being oblique (perpendicular when the guide has this shape) to the patterns of a second network (hence, virtually crisscrossing as seen from above).

These diffusing patterns have the same characteristics as those described above; light diffusing performance essentially equivalent to that obtained with crisscrossing grooves on only one side of the guide were observed.

Particularly satisfactory results were obtained with PMMA guides with thicknesses of ca 1-2 millimeters illuminated along their four edges by four series of CMS type light-emitting diodes (LED) of single-piece construction with a printed circuit surrounding the guide.

The space between two successive patterns of one of the two networks of parallel patterns (parallel to the end of the guide and/or to the light source) varies substantially regularly and in a non-monotonic manner. Thus, the distance between two adjacent segments or diffusing patterns decreases on going away from an edge in which the light is injected, then increases on approaching the opposing light-injection edge.

Because the two networks intersect, they form a grid whose geometric designs (mesh) have an area that decreases substantially regularly and monotonically as the center of the lightguide is approached.

In another aspect, the invention proposes a surface lighting apparatus, particularly a backlighting apparatus, which comprises:

-   -   a lightguide comprising a plate comprising two opposite edges         and at least one face of which has diffusing patterns of         irregular shape provided in the plate,     -   two light sources arranged along the two opposed side edges of         the plate,     -   and the apparatus comprises in addition at least one third light         source arranged along a third side edge of the plate.

According to preferred embodiments of the invention:

-   -   The diffusing patterns comprise crisscrossing grooves;     -   The grooves extend in two substantially orthogonal directions         (Ox, Oy) so as to form a network of diffusing patterns with         rectangular meshes;     -   The plate is rectangular and comprises four opposed side edges         which are parallel two by two, with the apparatus comprising         four light sources arranged along the four respective side edges         of the plate;     -   The light sources have different visible emission colors or         spectra;     -   The sources are white CMS LEDs (light-emitting diodes), although         in some applications, CCFLs (cold cathode fluorescent lamps) can         be used;     -   Each diffusing pattern comprises a rectilinear groove or         depression and projections extending along each groove or         depression, on both sides of the groove or depression.

In another aspect, the invention proposes a lightguide comprising a plate having two parallel faces and two opposed parallel side edges, with a first face comprising a plurality of first diffusing patterns, wherein the lightguide comprises second diffusing patterns crisscrossing the first diffusing patterns, that is, extending along a second oblique direction relative to the first direction in which the first patterns extend.

According to preferred embodiments of the guide:

-   -   The guide comprises a first plurality of first rectilinear         diffusing patterns that are parallel with each other and have a         spacing between each other that varies monotonically or not         depending essentially on a first geometric progression, and a         second plurality of second rectilinear diffusing patterns that         are parallel with each other and whose spacing varies         monotonically or not according to a second geometric         progression, with said first diffusing patterns extending in a         first direction that is oblique, preferably orthogonal, to the         direction of the second diffusing patterns;     -   the first diffusing patterns and second diffusing patterns         extend over the first face of the plate;     -   the second diffusing patterns extend over a second face of the         plate which is distinct from the first face and parallel with         it;     -   these diffusing patterns comprise a central depression and         peripheral projections arranged on both sides of said         depression;     -   the central depression is in the form of a groove having a depth         in the range of 10-30 microns;     -   the central groove is of an average width ranging from 20 to 60         microns and the average width of the diffusing patterns being in         the range of 50-120 microns;     -   the diffusing patterns form a grid and the form generated by         this grid (meshes) diminishes essentially regularly and         monotonically on approaching the center of the guide.

In another aspect, the invention proposes a process for manufacturing a lightguide in the form of a plate one face of which comprises a plurality of diffusing patterns produced with a laser beam, wherein said face is exposed to radiation having an intensity lying in a range from 10⁴ to 10⁷ w/cm² so as to form irregularities in surface area and depth and so that each of said patterns comprises a central depression and peripheral projections arranged on both sides of said central depression; the material used is chosen from among glass, polycarbonate and methyl polymethacrylate; a first network of first essentially parallel diffusing patterns is formed first, followed by a second network of essentially parallel diffusing patterns that extend obliquely, preferably essentially orthogonally relative to the first diffusing patterns.

The inventive lightguides have been found to have excellent efficiency and to provide for excellent uniformity throughout the surface of the guide, whether the light is injected along the two opposite sides or along all four sides. It was also found that the efficiency (light emitted by the sources used to inject the light/light emitted by the guide) was identical in the case of dual or quadruple injection of light. It was also found that the inventive lightguides were particularly well suited for providing very homogeneous diffusion of the light coming from a plurality of sources (LEDs).

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will be understood on the basis of the following description, which refers to the attached drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention in a nonlimiting manner.

FIG. 1 illustrates, in a schematic perspective view, a lightguide comprising a plate 1 having two parallel faces 2 and 3 and two opposed parallel side edges 4 and 6, with a first face 3 comprising a plurality of first diffusing patterns 8, wherein the guide comprises second diffusing patterns 9 crisscrossing first diffusing patterns. In the design (grid) formed by the crisscrossing of the two series of diffusing patterns on the same face 3, the meshes of the grid decrease in size on approaching the center.

FIG. 2 shows a representation of a lightguide composed of a plate 12 with two parallel faces 2 and 3. On face 3, the diffusing patterns in the form of a groove 10 are oriented according to an axis ox. On face 2, the diffusing patterns in the form of a groove 10 are oriented according to an axis oy.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 represent a three-dimensional view of the crisscrossing of two diffusing patterns with the central groove 10 and the projections 11 following along this central groove. In FIG. 3 in particular, we see the heterogeneous and partially occluded nature of some grooves. Despite this fact, we see that the lightguide retains its complete efficiency.

FIG. 5 illustrates a lightguide composed of a plate 1 on which the first diffusing patterns 8 and the second diffusing patterns 9 extend over the first face 3. Light is injected from sources 13 and 14 onto its opposed faces 4 and 6. It was found that the uniformity was equivalent at all points during the use of sources at the four side edges 4, 5, 6, 7.

FIG. 6 shows that it is possible to use sources of different intensities (luminance of sources 16>luminance of sources 15) so as to change discretionarily the luminance level on the surface of the lightguide 1 while maintaining the same uniformity level. This lighting would make it possible, for example, to backlight a liquid crystal screen with:

-   -   A “day” mode in which the four side edges 4, 5, 6, 7 are         illuminated by sources 15 and 16,     -   A “night” mode in which only side edges 4 and 6 are illuminated         by sources 15, thereby enabling the use of amplifying binoculars         for night vision.

FIG. 7 shows a photograph of a guide portion. On surface 3, the diffusing patterns 1 are oriented according to an OX axis and the second diffusing patterns 2 are oriented according to an OY axis. Here again, we note the heterogeneous and partially occluded character of some grooves.

FIG. 8 shows that it is also possible, using sources 17 and 18 having different wavelengths, to produce color sequencing, ie, to alternate the illumination of sources 18 on side edges 4 and 6 and the illumination of sources 17 on side edges 5 and 7, and/or to mix the two wavelengths to create a new emission spectrum at the surface 3 of guide 1 by simultaneously using sources 18 and 17 at all four side edges 4, 5, 6, 7.

The invention makes it possible to produce backlighting devices having an emitting surface ranging from 25-700 cm², a luminance ranging from 4,000 to 16,000 candelas/m², an emitted luminous flux with a uniformity over 90% and generally over 95%, a total thickness (including the mechanical support and protective structures of the LEDs) ranging from 5 to 10 mm, and with a maximum operating temperature not exceeding ambient temperature by more than 10-25 degrees Celsius. 

1-16. (canceled)
 17. Lighting device that comprises: a lightguide comprising a plate (1,12), comprising at least two opposed side edges (4,6), one face (3) of which has first irregular diffusing patterns (8) formed in the plate, two light sources (13,14) arranged along two opposed side edges of the plate, characterized by the fact that said device additionally comprises at least one third light source arranged along a third side edge of the plate, and second irregular diffusing patterns formed in the plate, which crisscross with the first diffusing patterns.
 18. Device according to claim 17, wherein the first and second diffusing patterns are grooves (10) bordered by two strips of projections and depressions.
 19. Device according to claim 18, wherein the grooves extend in two essentially orthogonal directions (Ox, Oy).
 20. Device according to claim 19, wherein the plate is rectangular and comprises two pairs of parallel opposed side edges, with the device comprising four light sources (13-18) arranged along the four respective side edges of the plate, where each source consists of a row of LEDs.
 21. Device according to claim 17, wherein the light sources have different visible light emission colors or spectra, these sources being LEDs (light-emitting diodes).
 22. Device according to claim 17, wherein each of the sources comprises a series of CMS LEDs of essentially white color welded to a printed circuit that surrounds the plate.
 23. Device according to claim 17 wherein face (3) has luminance in excess of 1,000 cd/m2, preferably at least equal to 4,000 cd/m2, specifically lying in a range from 5,000 to 20,000 cd/m2.
 24. Lightguide comprising a plate (1,12) having two parallel faces (2,3) and at least two opposed side edges (4,6), with a first face (3) having a plurality of first irregular elongate diffusing patterns (8,10), characterized by the fact that said guide comprises second irregular elongate diffusing patterns (9,10) crisscrossing the first diffusing patterns.
 25. Guide according to claim 24, comprising a first plurality of first rectilinear diffusing patterns (8,10), parallel with each other and spaced apart at varying distances, and a second plurality of second rectilinear diffusing patterns that are parallel with each other and are spaced apart at varying distances, with said first diffusing patterns extending in a first direction (Ox) that is oblique, preferably orthogonal, to the direction (Oy) of the second diffusing patterns.
 26. Guide according to claim 24, herein the first diffusing patterns and the second diffusing patterns extend over the first face (3) of the plate and comprise grooves formed in the plate, with the plate comprising components that partially obstruct some grooves.
 27. Guide according to claim 24, herein the second diffusing patterns extend over a second face (2) of the plate that is distinct from the first face (3) and parallel to it, with the first and second diffusing patterns comprising grooves formed in the plate.
 28. Guide according to claim 24, wherein the diffusing patterns comprise a central depression (10) and peripheral projections (11) arranged on both sides of said depression.
 29. Guide according to claim 28, wherein the central depression (10) is in the form of a groove having a depth lying in the range of 10-30 microns.
 30. Guide according to claim 28, wherein the central groove has an average width in the range of 20-60 microns and the average width of the diffusing patterns is in the range of 50-120 microns.
 31. Guide according to claim 24, wherein the diffusing patterns form a grid, with the area of the meshes of this grid decreasing in size essentially regularly and monotonically on approaching the center of the guide.
 32. Process for manufacturing a lightguide in the form of a plate whose one face (3) comprises a plurality of diffusing patterns (8,10) obtained using a laser beam, wherein said face is exposed to a radiation whose intensity is sufficient (generally lying in a range from 104 to 107 cm2) to form irregularities in surface area and depth, and so that each of said patterns comprises a central depression and peripheral protrusions arranged on both sides of said central depression, characterized by the fact that the material used is chosen from among glass, polycarbonate and methyl polymethacrylate, and wherein a first network of first essentially parallel diffusing patterns (8,10) is formed, followed by a second network of second essentially parallel diffusing patterns (9,10), which extend obliquely, preferably essentially orthogonally, to the first diffusing patterns. 